With Manually Actuated Display Patents (Class 368/69)
  • Patent number: 11930361
    Abstract: A method of a wearable device displaying icons is provided. The method includes displaying a plurality of circular icons comprising a first circular icon located in a center area of a touch display in a first size and a second circular icon located outside of the center area of the touch display in a second size smaller than the first size, and based on a direction of a touch input received on the touch display, moving the plurality of circular icons such that the first circular icon is moved to a first position located outside of the center area of the touch display and the second circular icon is moved from a second position located outside the center area of the touch display to the center area of the touch display and enlarged in size from the second size to the first size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joon-kyu Seo, Young-joon Choi, Ji-yeon Kwak, Hyun-jin Kim, Yeo-jun Yoon
  • Patent number: 11889309
    Abstract: A method of a wearable device displaying icons is provided. The method includes displaying a plurality of circular icons comprising a first circular icon located in a center area of a touch display in a first size and a second circular icon located outside of the center area of the touch display in a second size smaller than the first size, and based on a direction of a touch input received on the touch display, moving the plurality of circular icons such that the first circular icon is moved to a first position located outside of the center area of the touch display and the second circular icon is moved from a second position located outside the center area of the touch display to the center area of the touch display and enlarged in size from the second size to the first size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joon-kyu Seo, Young-joon Choi, Ji-yeon Kwak, Hyun-jin Kim, Yeo-jun Yoon
  • Patent number: 11843948
    Abstract: A method of a wearable device displaying icons is provided. The method includes displaying a plurality of circular icons comprising a first circular icon located in a center area of a touch display in a first size and a second circular icon located outside of the center area of the touch display in a second size smaller than the first size, and based on a direction of a touch input received on the touch display, moving the plurality of circular icons such that the first circular icon is moved to a first position located outside of the center area of the touch display and the second circular icon is moved from a second position located outside the center area of the touch display to the center area of the touch display and enlarged in size from the second size to the first size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joon-kyu Seo, Young-joon Choi, Ji-yeon Kwak, Hyun-jin Kim, Yeo-jun Yoon
  • Patent number: 11812267
    Abstract: A method of a wearable device displaying icons is provided. The method includes displaying a plurality of circular icons comprising a first circular icon located in a center area of a touch display in a first size and a second circular icon located outside of the center area of the touch display in a second size smaller than the first size, and based on a direction of a touch input received on the touch display, moving the plurality of circular icons such that the first circular icon is moved to a first position located outside of the center area of the touch display and the second circular icon is moved from a second position located outside the center area of the touch display to the center area of the touch display and enlarged in size from the second size to the first size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joon-kyu Seo, Young-joon Choi, Ji-yeon Kwak, Hyun-jin Kim, Yeo-jun Yoon
  • Patent number: 11711694
    Abstract: A method of a wearable device displaying icons is provided. The method includes displaying a plurality of circular icons comprising a first circular icon located in a center area of a touch display in a first size and a second circular icon located outside of the center area of the touch display in a second size smaller than the first size, and based on a direction of a touch input received on the touch display, moving the plurality of circular icons such that the first circular icon is moved to a first position located outside of the center area of the touch display and the second circular icon is moved from a second position located outside the center area of the touch display to the center area of the touch display and enlarged in size from the second size to the first size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joon-kyu Seo, Young-joon Choi, Ji-yeon Kwak, Hyun-jin Kim, Yeo-jun Yoon
  • Patent number: 11556240
    Abstract: The technology provides for an electronic device with gesture detection. In this regard, the device may include a housing, and one or more sensors positioned along an inner periphery of the housing. The sensors may be adapted to detect user interaction with an outer surface of the housing. The device may further include one or more processors in communication with the plurality of sensors. The one or more processors may be configured to determine the user interaction and to determine a type of gesture based on the detected user interaction, determine a type of input command based on the determined gesture, and execute a task corresponding to the determined type of input command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Drake, Matthew Wimmer, Debanjan Mukherjee, Jeffrey Wheeler, Deborah Kathleen Vitus, Haechang Lee
  • Patent number: 11448927
    Abstract: Display device and fabrication method are provided. The display device includes a first substrate and a flexible circuit board. The first substrate includes a step region, first alignment marks, and a base substrate. The step region includes a bonding region and the bonding region includes a plurality of first pads arranged in at least one row along a first direction. The flexible circuit board is bonded in the bonding region and includes second alignment marks. Orthographic projections of the first alignment marks on a plane of the base substrate do not overlap an orthographic projection of the flexible circuit board on the plane of the base substrate, and do not overlap orthographic projections of the second alignment marks on the plane of the base substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignees: Wuhan Tianma Micro-Electronics Co., Ltd., Wuhan Tianma Microelectronics Co., Ltd. Shanghai Branch
    Inventors: Zhuan Gao, Xinzhao Liu
  • Patent number: 11429234
    Abstract: An electronic device according to various embodiments of the present invention may comprise: at least one electrode having conductivity; a capacitance sensor, at least one switch electrically connected between the at least one electrode and the capacitance sensor, and capable of selectively connecting the at least one electrode and the capacitance sensor; and a control circuit, wherein the control circuit measures a first capacitance value by using the capacitance sensor in a state where the at least one switch is open, measures a second capacitance value corresponding to an external object contacting the at least one electrode, by using the capacitance sensor in a state where the at least one switch is connected, corrects the second capacitance value by using the first capacitance value, and determines the corrected second capacitance value as a capacitance value for the external object. Various other embodiments are possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeehoon Lee, Eungi Min, Yongjin Lee, Suho Lee, Sukwang Lim, Hyungjoon Lim, Seungeun Lee
  • Patent number: 11385599
    Abstract: An input mechanism, such as a crown, detects amounts of applied force. In various examples, an assembly including an input mechanism has an enclosure; a stem coupled to the enclosure such that the stem is rotatable, translatable, and transversely moveable with respect to the enclosure; a sensor, coupled between the stem and the housing, to which force is transferred when the stem moves with respect to the housing; and a processing unit coupled to the sensor. The processing unit is operable to determine a measurement of the force, based on a signal from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Colin M. Ely, Erik G. de Jong, Fletcher R. Rothkopf
  • Patent number: 11281163
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece with a first and second electric motors for driving time indicating hands with a set of gear wheels, and a microcontroller connected to the motion sensor and controlling each motor. A motion sensor includes a movable element arranged to move freely inside a structure connected to the timepiece movement. As a function of the position and movement of the moving element inside the housing, a first and second electric signals, different from each other, are generated by the motion sensor for the microcontroller in a defined time period to determine whether the timepiece is in use. If only one electric signal is detected by the microcontroller in the defined time period, the timepiece changes into a sleep mode, by stopping at least the first electric motor intended to drive the seconds hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Vittorio Zanesco, Pascal Lagorgette
  • Patent number: 11216062
    Abstract: Disclosed is a wearable terminal. The terminal may comprise: a detection circuit; a first electrode and a second electrode which are connected to the detection circuit to form open loop circuits, respectively, and are spaced apart from each other; and a control unit for controlling the wearable terminal to perform a pre-configured function when the first electrode and the second electrode simultaneously come into contact with a part of a user's body, and the detection circuit, the first electrode, and the second electrode then form a signal pathway through the part of the user's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: INBODY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kichul Cha
  • Patent number: 11188028
    Abstract: A button (1) for a timepiece, comprising:—a rod (4);—a tube (2) for guiding of the rod (4) along a longitudinal axis (A);—a ring (3); and—a mechanical connection (3d, 2c, 5) between the ring and the tube, the mechanical connection being of the bayonet type and/or comprising a spring (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: ROLEX SA
    Inventors: Nicolas Boaron, Pedro Manuel Dos Santos Pedrosa
  • Patent number: 11106181
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a body and a band being able to attach the body to a part of a human body. The body includes first and second detectors and at least one processor. The first detector detects illuminance on an upper surface of the body. The second detector is located in a position distant from a position of the first detector in a short-side direction of the band and detects the illuminance on the upper surface of the body. The at least one processor executes predetermined processing in response to the at least one processor determining that at least one of first illuminance detected by the first detector and second illuminance detected by the second detector changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Hachiya, Tomomi Nagao
  • Patent number: 10948880
    Abstract: An input mechanism, such as a crown, detects amounts of applied force. In various examples, an assembly including an input mechanism has an enclosure; a stem coupled to the enclosure such that the stem is rotatable, translatable, and transversely moveable with respect to the enclosure; a sensor, coupled between the stem and the housing, to which force is transferred when the stem moves with respect to the housing; and a processing unit coupled to the sensor. The processing unit is operable to determine a measurement of the force, based on a signal from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Colin M. Ely, Erik G. de Jong, Fletcher R. Rothkopf
  • Patent number: 10817073
    Abstract: An electronic device capable of detecting a rotation amount of a dial without depending on a mechanism is achieved. A ring-like shape dial surrounds a peripheral edge of an electrostatic type touch panel, the dial includes a conductive pattern, which is formed of a conductive material, on an inner surface facing the touch panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kimura, Kohji Fujiwara, Hiroshi Fukushima
  • Patent number: 10809856
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic device intended to be worn secured to a part of the human body, comprising a case (11) provided with a display zone (13), a wristband (12), and a control interface with capacitive measuring electrodes (14, 15, 16) arranged to detect control objects, said control interface being arranged so as to allow the detection of control objects (21) in contact with or across from (i) a detection zone superimposed on the display zone (13), (ii) at least one other detection zone (17, 18, 23) outside said display zone (13). The invention also relates to a method implemented in this device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: QuickStep Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Christophe Blondin, Didier Roziere
  • Patent number: 10706491
    Abstract: A display device including a first processor, a second processor, a frame memory which is overwritten by and stores first image data generated by the first processor and second image data generated by the second processor, and a display on which a predetermined image is displayed based on the first image data and the second image data stored in the frame memory, in which the first processor or the second processor sets the first processor in a power saving state when the first processor is not overwriting the first image data in the frame memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kimiyasu Mizuno
  • Patent number: 10503271
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electronic device having a proximity sensor for determining whether an object, such as a user's finger, is in proximity to or in contact with an input mechanism of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Colin M. Ely, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Baboo V. Gowreesunker, Prashanth S. Holenarsipur, Serhan O. Isikman, Anna-Katrina Shedletsky
  • Patent number: 10248248
    Abstract: Approaches presented herein provide for user interface selection through an intercept point defined by a touch sensitive bezel. More specifically, a touch sensitive bezel, in a device having a display at least partially surrounded by the touch sensitive bezel, senses a horizontal position and a vertical position on the display from two locations on the bezel touched by a user. An intersection on the display where the horizontal position and the vertical position cross is determined and can be marked on the display. A user may slide his/her fingers along the touch sensitive bezel to move the intersection around the display. A user may perform an additional action to confirm a selection of an item located at the intersection. The touch sensitive bezel can also be used to control interface selection on a display of a second device by mapping the horizontal and vertical positions to the second device display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Bostick, John M. Ganci, Jr., Martin G. Keen, Sarbajit K. Rakshit
  • Patent number: 10248227
    Abstract: A wearable terminal device includes a display section configured to display a display image and a processing section. The processing section performs processing for displaying any one kind of information among information of a first information type to information of an N-th information type in respective display regions of first to M-th display regions obtained by dividing the display image, when the display image is switched from a first display image to a second display image, changes the size of at least an i-th display region among the first to M-th display regions, in the first display image, performs processing for displaying information of a j-th information type in the i-th display region at a first information verbosity, and, in the second display image, performs processing for displaying the information of the j-th information type in the i-th display region, the size of which is changed, at a second information verbosity different from the first information verbosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Atsuhiko Matsuno, Yoshihiro Tatara, Yosuke Wakamiya, Tomohiro Ogawa, Susumu Honda
  • Patent number: 10216146
    Abstract: An actuating organ for actuating an indicator in a timepiece, including: a fixing portion; a mobile portion; a first elastic portion connecting the mobile and fixing portions, the first elastic portion guiding the mobile portion relative to the fixing portion and exerting an elastic return action on the mobile portion; an actuation portion engaging with a toothed component of the timepiece upon actuation of the mobile portion relative to the fixing portion to actuate the toothed component, thereby actuating the indicator; and a second elastic portion connecting the actuation portion to the mobile portion, the second elastic portion being arranged to guide the actuation portion relative to the mobile portion so as to allow the actuation portion to retract when leaving the toothed component after release of the mobile portion, the second elastic portion being also arranged to exert an elastic return action on the actuation portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: PATEK PHILIPPE SA GENEVE
    Inventor: David Chabloz
  • Patent number: 9836333
    Abstract: A multi-function button is provided for a wearable device. A method includes associating, by at least one processor of the wearable device, operation of a button of a user interface of the wearable device with a quick-launch function of a computer program application stored in the wearable device, wherein operation of the button in a state where the computer program application is not being executed and where an icon identifying and enabling launch of the computer program application is not being displayed causes launch of the computer program application; and detecting, by the at least one processor while the computer program application is being executed, operation of the button and, in response to the detection, causing execution of a function of the computer program application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: POLAR ELECTRO OY
    Inventor: Olli Komulainen
  • Patent number: 9516767
    Abstract: A portable electronic object is provided with a case including a middle part closed by a back cover and by a glass and a bezel fixed to the middle part. The case contains at least one electronic module formed of a printed circuit board to which is fixed at least one microcontroller sending information to a display. The object further includes a tactile control including at least one base element on which there is arranged at least one electrode. The electrode is electrically connected to the microcontroller by a conductive path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Martin Jufer, Stephan Schwegler, Sylvain Helfenstein
  • Patent number: 9495038
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting a presence of a conductive object proximate to a capacitive sense element during an initialization process of a touch-sensing device. A capacitance sensing circuit measures a reference capacitance of a reference sense element. A sensing parameter of the capacitance sensing circuit is iteratively adjusted to obtain a target measurement output value for the reference sense element. With the sensing parameter set to the sensing parameter value, the capacitance measurement circuit measures a first capacitance of a first sense element. A first capacitance difference value is determined between the first capacitance and a first baseline capacitance value for the first sense element. A presence of a conductive object is detected proximate to the first sense element when the first capacitance difference value exceeds a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: MONTEREY RESEARCH, LLC
    Inventor: Kristopher L Young
  • Patent number: 9362416
    Abstract: One object is to provide a semiconductor device with a structure which enables reduction in parasitic capacitance sufficiently between wirings. In a bottom-gate type thin film transistor including a stacked layer of a first layer which is a metal thin film oxidized partly or entirely and an oxide semiconductor layer, the following oxide insulating layers are formed together: an oxide insulating layer serving as a channel protective layer which is over and in contact with a part of the oxide semiconductor layer overlapping with a gate electrode layer; and an oxide insulating layer which covers a peripheral portion and a side surface of the stacked oxide semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Junichiro Sakata, Hiroki Ohara, Hideaki Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 9337672
    Abstract: Disclosed are a displaying apparatus, a mobile electronic device, and a displaying frame. The displaying apparatus includes a mobile electronic device and a displaying frame. The mobile electronic device includes an electrical power contact, a circuit-breaking contact, and a battery circuit. The electrical power contact is electrically connected to the battery circuit, and the circuit-breaking contact is positioned corresponding to a control point of the battery circuit. The displaying frame includes a conductive part and an insulation part. When the mobile electronic device is disposed in the displaying frame, the conductive part is configured to press against the electrical power contact for transmitting electric power to the mobile electronic device, and the insulation part is configured to be inserted into the circuit-breaking contact to push the control point for breaking the battery circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignees: Inventec Appliances (Pudong) Corporation, Inventec Appliances Corp., Inventec Appliances (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chia-Yao Chang
  • Patent number: 9170566
    Abstract: Watch comprising a middle part which, with a crystal, delimits a watch case. The crystal includes a top face facing the user and an opposite bottom face facing the watch case. An electronic device is arranged on the bottom face of the crystal. A printed circuit board is disposed inside the watch case, underneath and remote from the electronic device. The watch includes a flange which is disposed between the crystal and the printed circuit board. The flange carries an electrical connection between the electronic device and the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Emmanuel Fleury, Pascal Lagorgette, Jean Laconte
  • Patent number: 9086686
    Abstract: A timepiece movement includes a battery housing section configured and arranged to house a primary battery and a secondary battery unit in a replaceable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kojima, Masaru Kubota
  • Patent number: 8971156
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for controlling a time function or a non-time related function including at least two push-buttons (28A, 28B) each provided with a stem (30A, 30B) and a head (32A, 32B), said push-buttons (28A, 28B) being able to move axially between a first inactive rest position and a second position in which they control the function, characterized in that the stems (30A, 30B) of the two push-buttons (28A, 28b) extend side by side and parallel to each other. The invention also concerns a timepiece fitted with this control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Meco S.A.
    Inventor: Hakim El Kadiri
  • Patent number: 8942069
    Abstract: Portable object such as a timepiece including a dial (4) covered by a watch glass (2), the portable object (1) enclosing an electronic control circuit (16) for at least one time function or non-time related function, the portable object further comprising at least one light source (12) and an associated light sensor (10), which are arranged on the dial (4), the light source (12) emitting, through the glass (2), a light beam, which is at least partially reflected towards the light sensor (10), when it is intercepted by the user's finger (D) placed on the glass (2) of the portable object, the light sensor (10) supplying the electronic control circuit (16) with an electric signal for activating the corresponding function when it detects the light produced by the light source (12) and reflected by the user's finger (D), the portable object being characterized in that the light source (12) emits collimated light while forming, on the glass (2), a spot of defined dimensions which defines the place on the glass (2)
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventor: Pierpasquale Tortora
  • Publication number: 20140328147
    Abstract: The present invention provides a wristwatch structure, an electronic crown for wristwatch, and a wristwatch having a display. The wristwatch structure comprises an electric driving component; an electronic core having a plurality of two-dimensional joints; and an electronic crown comprising a rotating portion and a fixed detecting portion, the detecting portion detecting electronic signals according to a rotation of the rotating portion; wherein the detecting portion of the electronic crown exports the electronic signals to the electronic core via one of the joints, and the electric driving component is electrically connected to one set of joints among the two-dimensional joints. The present invention can improve compatibility for various designs, thereby shortening product development cycle. Also, the present invention is suitable for developing a product with appearance similar to a mechanical watch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: Princo Middle East FZE
    Inventors: Chih-kuang YANG, Yeong-yan GUU, Cheng-yi CHANG, Gan-how SHAUE
  • Patent number: 8824245
    Abstract: A wristwatch includes a case and a corresponding crystal, and an integrated circuit sized to be received with the case. The wristwatch has a first, second, third, and fourth capacitive touch sensor adapted to be located beneath the crystal and within the case when the wristwatch is assembled. The capacitive touch sensors are in electrical communication with the integrated circuit to control operation of the wristwatch. The capacitive touch sensors are located adjacent to the periphery of the crystal and are spaced apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Advance Watch Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wai Cheong Lau, Chun Wai Tse
  • Patent number: 8737174
    Abstract: Coupling device 3 between activation means 1 and mechanical display means 2 of a display mechanism, wherein the coupling device 3 is adapted to apply a motion to said mechanical display means 2, in response to activation of the activation means, wherein the motion applied to the mechanical display means 2 is inertial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventor: David Hoover
  • Patent number: 8588033
    Abstract: Method for displaying the time in a wristwatch furnished with an electronic display (4) allowing the display of a simulated mechanical watch movement and of time indicators (20) so as to simulate a mechanical watch. The time displayed is advantageously calculated on the basis of the simulation of the movement and depends on the acceleration measured by an accelerometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Comme le Temps SA
    Inventors: Pascal Pozzo Di Borgo, Jorg Hysek
  • Patent number: 8545093
    Abstract: A switch structure has an elastic switch lever portion and a rigid support lever. The elastic switch lever portion has an elastic contact portion and an arm portion provided with a pressing force receiving portion from which the elastic contact portion extends. The rigid support lever is mounted for undergoing movement relative to the pressing force receiving portion. The rigid support lever has a rigid substrate portion and a rigid support wall portion that is connected to the rigid substrate portion and that supports the pressing force receiving portion so as to receive a pressing force from the pressing force receiving portion and to guide displacement of the pressing force receiving portion when a pressing force is applied to the pressing force receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Masayuki Kawata
  • Publication number: 20130235704
    Abstract: A portable electronic timepiece (timepiece) with a touch sensitive user interface. The timepiece can be transitioned from a sleep mode to a wake mode by touching a particular area on the touch interface for pre-determined period of time (a dwell input). In the wake mode, the timepiece can interpret a variety of user inputs, including dwell and swipe inputs, and can alter the information shown on the display accordingly. A swipe input can trigger a variety of functions depending on the location, direction and path of the swipe across the touch interface. A dwell input can also trigger other functions depending on how long the dwell lasts and where on the touch interface it occurs. The timepiece can also include a combination of one or more touch buttons and a touch interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: Movado LLC
    Inventor: Efraim Grinberg
  • Patent number: 8406086
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece can reduce a burden imposed on a user who performs a manipulation for correcting the positional displacement of a pointer when a position of the pointer is displaced due to the demonstration of the pointer movement. The electronic timepiece includes: a pointer which is rotated in a first direction based on a manipulation signal corresponding to a manipulation from the outside; and a control part which performs the demonstration of the pointer movement in which the pointer is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction and the first direction, wherein the pointer is positioned at a position where a rotational angle in the first direction from a preset reference position is smaller than a rotational angle in a second direction from the reference position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Shimizu, Tomohiro Ihashi, Kenji Ogasawara, Kazuo Kato, Kazumi Sakumoto, Akira Takakura, Eriko Noguchi, Takanori Hasegawa, Keishi Honmura, Saburo Manaka, Kosuke Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20130051189
    Abstract: A watch including a case in which there is arranged a control system, which includes a time base and is arranged to be able to perform several functions, the watch further including at least two analogue display elements and a digital display controlled independently by the control system, the watch further including a control acting on the control system. The watch is arranged in a first, normal operating mode to provide the user with a time indication by the analogue display elements driven by the control system fitted with the time base, and the watch is arranged in a second, special operating mode to allow the user to select a function via the control, to display on the digital display a value associated with the selected function, and to move an analogue display element opposite the value associated with the selected function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd.
    Inventor: Simon Springer
  • Publication number: 20120099406
    Abstract: A wristwatch includes a case and a corresponding crystal, and an integrated circuit sized to be received with the case. The wristwatch has a first, second, third, and fourth capacitive touch sensor adapted to be located beneath the crystal and within the case when the wristwatch is assembled. The capacitive touch sensors are in electrical communication with the integrated circuit to control operation of the wristwatch. The capacitive touch sensors are located adjacent to the periphery of the crystal and are spaced apart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: Advance Watch Company, Ltd., d/b/a, Geneva Watch Group
    Inventors: Wai Cheong Lau, Chun Wai Tse
  • Publication number: 20110235471
    Abstract: An analog timepiece includes a casing, a time displaying device, an electronic device received in the casing, a main control unit (MCU) communicated with the time displaying device and the electronic device for selectively controlling an operation of the time displaying device and sad electronic device and a multi-functional actuator. The multi-function actuator includes an actuator button movably provided on the casing to selectively move between an idle position, a time adjustment position and a triggering position, wherein in the idle position, the actuator button disengages with the MCU to allow normal operation of the electronic device, wherein in the time adjustment position, the actuator button is moved from the idle position to allow adjustment of the time displaying device, and wherein in the triggering position, the actuator is moved to engage with the MCU for triggering an operation of the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: BRIGHT AGGREGATION TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Tai Wai LUK, Quang Yin ZENG
  • Patent number: 7932893
    Abstract: Watch (1) including time display means (8; 10) covered by a crystal (4). This watch includes an interface device for controlling a computer cursor. It forms a contactless watch-mouse. For this purpose, a plurality of touch sensitive sensors are arranged so that their sensitive pads (16) are supported at least partially by the crystal (4). The sensitive pads are arranged in particular in the shape of a matrix extending over most of the crystal (4). The click function is performed using a push-button (14) associated with electric contactor or by a pressure sensor or by a touch sensitive sensor provided for this purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Swatch AG
    Inventor: Christophe Berthaud
  • Publication number: 20110044138
    Abstract: A timepiece includes: a housing (10), a movement (12) provided in the housing, a piece of glass (14) closing the housing, a dial (60) provided between the movement and the glass, wherein the dial can assume a first state in which the elements located behind the dial opposite the glass are visible from the glass side and a second state in which the elements are hidden, a mobile part capable of movement between at least one first position and at least one second position respectively corresponding to the first and second states of the dial, and display members (16) provided between the dial and the glass. The timepiece further includes a lid movably mounted relative to the housing and kinematically connected to the mobile part for urging the same from the first to the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: CREATIONS HORLOGERES DE LULLY SA
    Inventors: Anouk Danthe, Olivier Leu, Willy Meier, Sebastien Brancucci
  • Publication number: 20100296369
    Abstract: Portable object such as a timepiece including a dial (4) covered by a watch glass (2), the portable object (1) enclosing an electronic control circuit (16) for at least one time function or non-time related function, the portable object further comprising at least one light source (12) and an associated light sensor (10), which are arranged on the dial (4), the light source (12) emitting, through the glass (2), a light beam, which is at least partially reflected towards the light sensor (10), when it is intercepted by the user's finger (D) placed on the glass (2) of the portable object, the light sensor (10) supplying the electronic control circuit (16) with an electric signal for activating the corresponding function when it detects the light produced by the light source (12) and reflected by the user's finger (D), the portable object being characterized in that the light source (12) emits collimated light while forming, on the glass (2), a spot of defined dimensions which defines the place on the glass (2)
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: THE SWATCH GROUP RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT LTD
    Inventor: Pierpasquale Tortora
  • Patent number: 7817500
    Abstract: A shock-activated switch device comprises a piezoelectric buzzer having a body for receiving a mechanical shock and a terminal for outputting an electrical output signal when the body receives a mechanical shock, and an output circuit connected to the terminal for converting the output signal into a logic signal for controlling an electronic circuit to execute a specific programmable function, such as alarm snooze.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: IDT Technology Limited
    Inventor: Raymond Chan
  • Patent number: 7782717
    Abstract: The display device, which is arranged to display the minutes and hours, includes two cams (14 and 34) driven separately and respectively from the cannon pinion (11) and the hour wheel (31) of a horological movement. A lever (15, 35) held in the idle position by a spring (18, 38), is arranged so as to be actuated on demand by means of a push button (4) placed outside the corresponding timepiece, so as to make a rack (24, 44) pivot until the moment when a sensing finger (25, 45) of each rack abuts against the periphery of the corresponding cam. Each rack during its rotation drives a pinion (26, 46) carrying hands indicating the minutes and the hour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Franck Müller Watchland S.A.
    Inventors: Ramon Gil, Jean-Claude Quenet
  • Patent number: 7778118
    Abstract: A watch device includes a touch-sensitive user interface employing a sensor positioned within the bezel of the display for detecting when the bezel is touched by a user of the watch device. The sensor may be capable of detecting single presses, multiple simultaneous presses, and scrolling motion presses about the bezel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Justin R. Lyons, Kristin M. Massoth, John H. Lovitt, Claudette D. Stevenson, David J. Downey
  • Patent number: 7646677
    Abstract: To provide a portable electronic timepiece capable of downsizing a product without reducing a display area. Zebra rubbers are respectively fixed attached to left and right side faces of a contact member attached portion of a case by making a fixed contact portion constituting a button shaft opposed face thereof disposed on an extension of a button shaft and bringing a section connecting portion thereof into contact with connecting patterns of a contact/main board connecting portion of a main board. When the button shaft is inserted into a button shaft guide hole, a front end thereof is brought into contact with a surface of a bowl type rubber switch member having a section in a channel-like shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Hisao Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20090185452
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable electronic device (1) comprising at least two analog display elements (16, 17) to display the current time in a first operating mode, the time mode, the electronic device (1) additionally comprising a sensor (23) for a physical magnitude to measure the value of this physical magnitude as a function of time in a second operating mode and memory elements (25, 26) intended to store at least a portion of the measured values with a given period. The display elements can be controlled in the second operating mode to respectively display a value representative of the measured physical magnitude and a calculated value representative of the variation in time of the physical magnitude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGERE SUISSE
    Inventors: Jean-Bernard Veuthey, Fabien Balli
  • Patent number: 7522031
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for controlling an alarm using motion recognition in a portable terminal. In the method, motion input of the portable terminal is sensed in an alarm mode. It is checked whether the motion is a predetermined motion in a motion database. If the motion is the predetermined motion, a re-alarm time corresponding to the motion is set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Seok-Hun Lim
  • Publication number: 20090067295
    Abstract: The display device, which is arranged to display the minutes and hours, includes two cams (14 and 34) driven separately and respectively from the cannon pinion (11) and the hour wheel (31) of a horological movement. A lever (15, 35) held in the idle position by a spring (18, 38), is arranged so as to be actuated on demand by means of a push button (4) placed outside the corresponding timepiece, so as to make a rack (24, 44) pivot until the moment when a sensing finger (25, 45) of each rack abuts against the periphery of the corresponding cam. Each rack during its rotation drives a pinion (26, 46) carrying hands indicating the minutes and the hour.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Ramon Gil, Jean-Claude Quenet